06-30-2008, 07:04 PM
This has been a most interesting thread. Since my name has been tossed around a few times, I feel I can jump in. I am NOT insulted by anything said so far.
Truth is, I figured that paying a few dollars above minimum wage to laborers who's skills generally are limited was pretty fair. I ask nothing more than that they do their best, be willing to learn, be willing to say when they can't do something or don't know how and generally be honest. Like others hiring temporary day laborers, you never know what you will get. You increase the wage based on what you do get. Few of my guys here leave without fresh eggs, fresh basked bread, maybe fruit or veggies and pork, lamb or goat meat for their families in addition to their wages.
Working for me is NOT a career, and is not even a good job, except that I am flexible, encouraging everyone to find a better job if they can. Most of the guys who come work for me let me know each day if they can be back the next, or have something else they need to do. I am happy to say that I hired a local fellow that has been hunting Pigs here on my property for two years. He is doing a great job building some animal houses and doing fencing. He is in between "real jobs" and is starting a class next week from 10-1 PM every day for his higher level commercial truck driving license. He says he is THRILLED with $10 an hour, especially since hecan come to work when he can fit it in, etc... I do not feel I take advantage. I asked him about this and he laughed. He says Hawaiian's hire one another for less than minimum wage sometimes and thinks I am most generous. Go figure.
I admit I have some land but I am by no means rich and our land is not producing anything but huge monthly bills so far. I am hoping we get operating effectively in the next five years. Most of you know that I am disabled and have limited knowledge to go along with my "wanting" body. But I keep trying! You have all had a good laugh at my expense more than once, and that is fine because I am laughing right along with you. Still, I am learning and will try to make this thing work (ranching) if my body doesn't give out and I can keep finding project labor that I can manage to pay at the end of every day.
Also, I am totally thankful for friends who come over and work just to help out.. sometimes for me, sometimes for some "do-gooder, charity-type project" that I have going. I guess I feel I give as much back to this community as I can, sharing what I produce whenever I can and sharing knowledge too. If nothing else, many of you laughingly say, "Heck, if PAM can manage to grow some lettuce, some fruit, some green beans, raise a few sheep and some chickens, we sure can!!!"
In a bigger picture, we do honestly need better paying jobs for skilled workers, and appropriate training to give workers those skills. The truth is also that in a rural community, there will always be a need for day or project labor and any of it that comes in higher than minimum wage is generally appreciated by the people accepting it.
I have never intended to be a permanent employer but I sure do appreciate the work laborers have done for me. If I can help someone over a rough hump with a little work and set them free to do better when it comes along, I figure I haven't taken advantage at all, but simply found a balance where we can help one another for a while.
Wow, this is rambling. Sorry for that; guess I am tired (and excited about leaving on my trip to Thailand). I sure hope that in the long run, I am more a benefit to my community than the drain implied here. I will just keep on doing the best I can. Any of you who can afford to pay a man $20 an hour to pull weeds sure have found a money crop! Good on ya. You are smarter than me! I will just keep plugging along and say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped make my adventure here in Hawaii such a great one.
Aloha, Pam
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
Truth is, I figured that paying a few dollars above minimum wage to laborers who's skills generally are limited was pretty fair. I ask nothing more than that they do their best, be willing to learn, be willing to say when they can't do something or don't know how and generally be honest. Like others hiring temporary day laborers, you never know what you will get. You increase the wage based on what you do get. Few of my guys here leave without fresh eggs, fresh basked bread, maybe fruit or veggies and pork, lamb or goat meat for their families in addition to their wages.
Working for me is NOT a career, and is not even a good job, except that I am flexible, encouraging everyone to find a better job if they can. Most of the guys who come work for me let me know each day if they can be back the next, or have something else they need to do. I am happy to say that I hired a local fellow that has been hunting Pigs here on my property for two years. He is doing a great job building some animal houses and doing fencing. He is in between "real jobs" and is starting a class next week from 10-1 PM every day for his higher level commercial truck driving license. He says he is THRILLED with $10 an hour, especially since hecan come to work when he can fit it in, etc... I do not feel I take advantage. I asked him about this and he laughed. He says Hawaiian's hire one another for less than minimum wage sometimes and thinks I am most generous. Go figure.
I admit I have some land but I am by no means rich and our land is not producing anything but huge monthly bills so far. I am hoping we get operating effectively in the next five years. Most of you know that I am disabled and have limited knowledge to go along with my "wanting" body. But I keep trying! You have all had a good laugh at my expense more than once, and that is fine because I am laughing right along with you. Still, I am learning and will try to make this thing work (ranching) if my body doesn't give out and I can keep finding project labor that I can manage to pay at the end of every day.
Also, I am totally thankful for friends who come over and work just to help out.. sometimes for me, sometimes for some "do-gooder, charity-type project" that I have going. I guess I feel I give as much back to this community as I can, sharing what I produce whenever I can and sharing knowledge too. If nothing else, many of you laughingly say, "Heck, if PAM can manage to grow some lettuce, some fruit, some green beans, raise a few sheep and some chickens, we sure can!!!"
In a bigger picture, we do honestly need better paying jobs for skilled workers, and appropriate training to give workers those skills. The truth is also that in a rural community, there will always be a need for day or project labor and any of it that comes in higher than minimum wage is generally appreciated by the people accepting it.
I have never intended to be a permanent employer but I sure do appreciate the work laborers have done for me. If I can help someone over a rough hump with a little work and set them free to do better when it comes along, I figure I haven't taken advantage at all, but simply found a balance where we can help one another for a while.
Wow, this is rambling. Sorry for that; guess I am tired (and excited about leaving on my trip to Thailand). I sure hope that in the long run, I am more a benefit to my community than the drain implied here. I will just keep on doing the best I can. Any of you who can afford to pay a man $20 an hour to pull weeds sure have found a money crop! Good on ya. You are smarter than me! I will just keep plugging along and say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped make my adventure here in Hawaii such a great one.
Aloha, Pam
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"